This summer I was the biggest bookworm. Always a lover of a good book, this summer I hit the jackpot with several engrossing fictional stories and memoirs. If you are getting ready for a big trip (Ash!) or just looking for something to curl up with this Fall, I highly recommend the following...
The Paris Wife – recommended by my sister in law, this is a fictional account of the lives and marriage of Hadley and Ernest Hemingway during the Jazz Age of Paris. You don’t have to know much about Ernest Hemingway’s stories or the jazz age of Paris to enjoy this vivid story and the highs and lows of their tumultuous marriage.
Let's Pretend this Never Happened – written by the adorably, charming and quirky Texas blogger, Jenny Lawson this memoir had me laughing out loud every night. Jenny is the best combination of David Sedaris and Chelsea Handler. She is also endearingly vulnerable and self deprecating as she discusses her struggles with debilitating anxiety. Jenny’s childhood West Texas upbringing is unique, and her stories of her crazy dad and his latest taxidermy ambition will have you giggling like a school girl. I can’t wait to see what she does next. If the length of the book intimidates you (it’s a long one) do yourself a favor and check out her quirky blog…
Gone Girl – a great, twisted thriller that will keep you turning the pages long after your sig other has fallen asleep (and leave you wanting to sleep with the lights on). This thriller is unexpected and an overall entertaining read. I liked it so much, I read the author’s other new novels which are equally dark and disturbing, Dark Places and Sharp Objects…Just a warning, reading these gritty mysteries may lead to some nightmares and a desire to keep a night light close by.
I Feel Bad About my Neck (and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman) – after Nora Ephron passed away this summer, I had a strong desire for her light humorous writing and storytelling that she became so well known for. This memoir is her lovely perspective of getting older, aging and general thoughts on life as a woman. She was a classic storyteller, and her voice is as charming as ever in this light memoir.
Please let me know if you've read anything recently that you love! Looking to dive back into a great book this Fall!
In a couple of weeks we’ll find out the sex of Baby C, but in the meantime, I love looking at gender-neutral items for a nursery and imagining how we will decorate for the little one. The reality of our situation is we’ll only be in our current home for three months once the baby arrives, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to invest in designing and perfecting a nursery. That line of rational thought doesn’t stop me from perusing tons of sources and mentally designing one anyway. And while we may not go full out, there are some darling things out there that may eventually have to come home (I mean that sheep rocker – I’m dying it’s so cute!)
Here are the things I’m loving today…If you’d like to see the sources, please check out my Pinterest board!
P.S. – My favorite blog for nursery inspiration and design
Between the crisp (ok – cold) Chicago weather and my expanding waist (hips, rear, legs, etc.) all I want is to snuggle up in cozy and comfortable clothes. Thankfully, there are so many options right now, and with the basics including: 1) a good pair of thick leggings or skinny jeans, 2) flat riding boots or booties, 3) a tunic or oversized sweater to cover the aforementioned expanding rear, 4) and maybe a scarf or fun accessory to zazz it up, this can be easily accomplished without spending a fortune. Not only is this look totally functional and comfy, it’s cute and flattering when done right…
Here are some of my favorite variations of this look…
See my Fall Wish List inspiration board for sources!
Well hi there…It’s been over six months since my last post, and I feel like I have completely abandoned you. I don’t really have an excuse for the long hiatus, but in general I think life just got in the way…Through the Spring I was still traveling for work, and trying to balance that craziness. Come Summer I had plenty of free time, but we were living in pretty nast temporary housing back in Houston for Lee’s internship, and I was feeling less than inspired…Also, we found out we’re expecting a baby (coming this Spring!), so for the first 12 weeks or so, I just wasn’t feeling normal and up to par, like most women experience in their first trimesters.
I’m 14.5 weeks now and feeling much more energized and normal. I hope to keep this up on a regular basis and continue to share fun stuff like interior design and top fashion picks from the awards shows as well as some personal things as our family (and I) expand!
Thanks for reading (if you’re still out there…)
Here’s a recent pic at 14.5 weeks.
Every media outlet ever and most blogs have already posted the best and worst moments from the Oscars, and by no means can I compete, but I do love an awards show, so here are some thoughts…
- It’s more fun to watch the Oscars with a snarky Twitter feed near by
- Emma Stone can do no wrong
- Colin Firth could cuss out the audience, and I’d still find it charming
And my bests…
Best dress – Michelle William’s style is perfection…I want to pick her up and put her in my pocket.
Best banter – Ben Stiller and Emma Stone perhaps reenacting James Franco and Anne Hathaway’s awkward chemistry from last year’s disastrous Oscars
Best Attempt to look like an Oscar – this worked on Sandra Bullock – a former DWTS contestant – not so much.
Best Awkward Moment – Angelina aggressively posing on stage, only to be made fun of Community’s Dean
Best Recovery – I didn’t care for Cameron Diaz’s red carpet dress but loved the bright orange and gold at the after party
Best Accessory – Uggie the Dog
Best Impression of a Lady Bug – Natalie is beautiful, but this dress wasn’t working for me.
What were your thoughts?
Images via the always spot on Elements of Style
Recently I stumbled upon an article on AD that combined my two favorite things – 1) celebs and 2) thoughtfully designed kitchens…so if you want to play a quick game, match the celeb with the kitchen. I found some combinations to be very surprising!
Match these six celebs with their respective kitchen below. Answers at the bottom…
Sir Elton John and Giada De Laurentiis
Gerard Butler and Lance Armstrong
Jada and Will Smith
A. Open and inviting
B. Combining old and new
C. Rustic and warm
D. Starkly white
E. Bright and modern
Answers: A) Lance Armstrong B) Gerard Butler C) Will and Jada Smith D) Giada De Laurentiis E) Elton John
Back from the dead (or lack of blogging), I came across these lovely images of Brooke Shield’s NYC town home on Architectural Digest. It’s quite feminine and a bit quirky with painted portraits of her daughters in crowns hung on the wall and a French Empire commode on the mantel. And though I can never imagine using a heart as the most eye-catching accessory of a room, I’m quite drawn to it’s sweetness sitting between her two daughters. Maybe it’s just good timing with Valentine’s day around the corner…What do you think of Brooke’s home?
I think the pink, grey and neutral colors make a lovely combination…
A bright, modern kitchen with kitschy art work
Lovely wallpapered dining area with lucite lamps and a bold chandy
Yes, this bath will work.
all images via Architectural Digest
My favorite part of award season aside from the infrequent memorable acceptance speech, is the red carpet – the cringe-worthy awkward conversations before the awards show and the excitement when an actress shows up wearing a truly amazing dress. Let’s start with the obvious trends…most noticeably blush-colored dresses were everywhere on the red carpet as shown below.
I don’t usually like a “mullet” dress but Charlize rocked hers with a sparkly headband looking ever so feminine and pretty
How can Elle McPherson be 46? No really.
I like Heidi’s low key look, and I’m always a sucker for turquoise accessories
and we saw a few deep jewel tones, which were also my overall favorites…
and the ones I’m wondering where their stylists were…?
awkward neck and a visible seam just make these awkward and unflattering.
What are your thoughts – who were your favorites?
all images via instyle.com and people.com
